Thailand to boycott Australian weapons

Thailand to boycott Australian weapons

BANGKOK (AFP): Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai yesterday
threatened to boycott Australian-made weapons in retaliation for
continuing allegations that some Thais support Khmer Rouge
guerrillas in Cambodia.

"If they still think this way, we won't buy (the weapons)," he
told reporters in Jakarta.

Chuan, who is attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC) summit, said that members of Canberra's parliament had
voiced concern that weapons sold to Thailand could wind up in the
hands of the Khmer Rouge.

"I have read this from the minutes of their parliament," he
added. As a result, Chuan said, he had ordered his defense
ministry to review any purchases of Australian weapons.

The premier's decision followed allegations last week by
Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans that Bangkok had not
done all it could to halt Thai businessmen and "freelance
soldiers" from conducting business with the Khmer Rouge.